The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Perfect courage is to do without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True courage involves acting virtuously even when no one is watching.
This quote emphasizes the essence of courage as an internal virtue rather than a display for others. It suggests that the true measure of oneβs bravery lies in their ability to act rightly and with resolve regardless of external validation or observation, thus highlighting the integrity of personal conviction over the need for approval from others.
Themes
CourageIntegrityCharacterValuesHonor
In practice
Example use cases
During a leadership speech, a speaker might use this quote to emphasize the importance of ethical decision-making.
More from Francois De La Rochefoucauld
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The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.
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To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
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